TL;DR
Open Infrastructure Map is a layered mapping interface that displays a wide range of built infrastructure elements. The legend includes detailed categories for electrical networks, generation, telecom assets, pipelines, water and sewage facilities, and other utility components.
What happened
Open Infrastructure Map presents a comprehensive legend of mapped infrastructure elements and symbology for an interactive mapping application. The map distinguishes power lines by voltage bands (from below 10 kV up to 550 kV), HVDC and traction lines, and marks underground conductors and line references. It also enumerates power plants by fuel or technology — including coal, geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, oil/gas, solar, wind, biomass and waste — and shows individual generator icons such as wind turbines, solar panels and batteries. Support structures (towers, poles, transition supports), switchgear components (disconnector, circuit breaker, reactors, capacitors, filters) and transformer types appear in the legend. Telecom-related icons include cables, towers/masts, datacenters, telephone exchanges and cabinets. The legend further lists pipeline categories for gas (transmission and distribution with DN thresholds), petroleum, hydrogen and other media, plus water and wastewater infrastructure such as treatment plants and pumping stations.
Why it matters
- Provides a standardized visual vocabulary for multiple infrastructure types, aiding users in interpreting mapped assets.
- Brings diverse utility layers together — power, telecoms, pipelines, water — in one interface, which can support analysis and planning.
- Clear symbology for electrical components and pipelines may help professionals and researchers locate and compare network elements.
- Explicit categorization (voltages, pipeline DN bands, plant fuel types) supports more granular inspection of infrastructure inventories.
Key facts
- Power lines are grouped by voltage bands: <10 kV, ≥10 kV, ≥25 kV, ≥52 kV, ≥132 kV, ≥220 kV, ≥310 kV, ≥550 kV.
- HVDC and traction lines (under 50 Hz) and an option for marking underground lines are included.
- Power plant categories include coal, geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, oil/gas, solar, wind, biomass, waste, battery and other/unknown.
- Generator icons cover wind turbines, solar panels (including node markers) and generic other generators.
- Support structures shown include towers/pylons, transition towers, power poles and transition poles.
- Switchgear and protection items listed include disconnectors, circuit breakers, current and potential transformers, series/shunt reactors and capacitors, and filters.
- Transformer symbols include single transformers and three-winding transformers.
- Telecom assets are represented with cables, towers/masts, datacenters, telephone exchanges and cabinets.
- Pipelines are categorized by function and size: gas transmission (≥ DN 700, ≥ DN 300, < DN 300), distribution pressure levels, petroleum, hydrogen and other media.
- Water and wastewater infrastructure entries list fresh/hot water, steam, pumping stations, water and sewage treatment plants, and other pumping facilities.
What to watch next
- Update frequency and data refresh cadence: not confirmed in the source
- Geographic coverage and completeness of mapped assets: not confirmed in the source
- Data licensing, source attribution and accuracy claims: not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- HVDC: High-voltage direct current: a method of transmitting electrical power over long distances using direct current.
- Transformer (three-winding): A transformer with three separate windings allowing it to connect and transfer power among three circuits or voltage levels.
- DN (Diameter Nominal): A nominal pipe size designation used to categorize pipeline diameter ranges for transmission and distribution.
- Switchgear: Electrical components used to control, protect and isolate electrical equipment, including breakers and disconnectors.
- Datacenter: A facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems.
Reader FAQ
What types of infrastructure does Open Infrastructure Map display?
The map's legend includes electrical networks (lines, plants, generators, switchgear), telecoms (cables, towers, datacenters), pipelines (gas, petroleum, hydrogen and others), and water and wastewater facilities.
Does the source indicate how frequently the map data is updated?
not confirmed in the source
Can users see voltage levels and pipe diameter categories on the map?
Yes. The legend lists voltage bands for power lines and DN-based categories for gas transmission and other pipeline classes.
Is information about data licensing or accuracy provided?
not confirmed in the source
Key×Power Lines< 10 kV≥ 10 kV≥ 25 kV≥ 52 kV≥ 132 kV≥ 220 kV≥ 310 kV≥ 550 kVHVDCTraction (< 50 Hz)UndergroundLine referencePower PlantsCoalGeothermalHydroelectricNuclearOil/GasSolarWindBiomassWasteBatteryOther/UnknownPower GeneratorsWind turbineSolar panelSolar panel (node)Other generatorPower Line…
Sources
- Open Infrastructure Map
- OSINT TOOLKIT: OPEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP, A …
- Mapping the World's Infrastructure
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